MOSCOW – The Russian Prosecutor General's office says a request by lawmakers to check the legality of Soviet recognition of the independence of three ex-Soviet Baltic republics makes no sense.

Spokeswoman Marina Gridneva said Wednesday the office is obliged to pick up any request by lawmakers but added this one "has no legal prospects."

Two lower house members have asked prosecutors to look into Soviet authorities' decision in September 1991 to recognize the independence of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The lawmakers argued that the State Council created by Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev wasn't authorized to make such a decision.

The motion has caused uproar in the Baltic nations, which are now members of the European Union and NATO. It is also widely seen there as proof of Moscow's aggressive intentions toward them.